I Should Be Souvlaki

Overview

When it comes to vegan fare, there is no greater place in Sydney — and maybe Australia — than King Street Newtown, and opening back in 2021, I Should Be Souvlaki is a fun and welcomed addition to the suburb. Opened by vegan couple Adam Papastathapolous and Emma Langley, the name was inspired from the Kylie Minogue hit I should be so lucky, and the fun doesn't stop there. This is hearty, tasty vegan food, full of garlic and salt and lemon, which harks back to the souvlaki of Adam's native Greece. 

The souvlaki recipes are Emma's, to help Adam through his vegan journey by finding a way to prepare his favourite food. After setting up shop at the Sydney Vegan Market back in 2017, their popularity meant it was just a matter of time until they opened their own bricks-and-mortar store, and Newtown is better for it. 

The souvlaki menu comes in four steps. Firstly, choose your style, be it either the signature souvlaki with lettuce, tomato, onion and home-made tzatziki, or the Santorini version which opts for hot chips instead of lettuce, as the Greeks do. Then choose a size and then your protein, be it either a wheat based chicken substitute, marinated mushroom or the ultimate lamb protein which is wheat and soy based. Finally, add chips, sauce, feta, cucumber or whatever else you like and off you go, strolling down King Street souvlaki in hand.

Other options at I Should Be Souvlaki include souvlaki platters, bowls and snack packs, as well as Caesar wraps Greek salads. If you're dining in, there is wine and beer on offer, with local brews such as Young Henry's sitting alongside Greek drops like Mythos Hellenic Lager. The wines are all Kylie Minogue branded, with the signature rosé the pick of the bunch.